Machine for working concrete or the like



Nov. 20 1923. 3,474,77G

w. J. FITZGERALD ET AL MACHINE FOR WORKING CONCRETE OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 18 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 jmmm w WILL //7/14 J I w a,

Nov. 20, 1923. mm m W. J. FITZGERALD ET AL MACHINE FOR WORKING CONCRETE 0: THE LIKE Filed Aug. 18, 1919 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 20 1923.

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W. J. FITZGERALD ET AL MACHINE FOR WORKING CONCRETE OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 18 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 AVE| ummm Nov. 20, 1923.

W. J. FITZGERALD ET AL MACHINE FOR WORKING CONCRETE OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 18 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 MM mm, 5w Ga 5 w HM QM 5 m L/ MD M 5 W t E [5 W m w s I \U 6 v 4 a W m .m 2 m8 L5 T my EBB mw i Hmm N .F WE

Nov. 20 1923.

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entree stares PATENT @FFEQE.

WILLIAM J. FITZGERALD AND ADDI BENJAMIN CADIJIAN, OF BELOIT, WISCONSIN.

MACHINE FOR VJ'ORKING CONCRETE 9R THE LIKE.

Application filed August 18, 1919.

To caZZ 4.0720121. 27 may concern:

Be it known that we, lVILLIAM J. Frrz- HERALD and Annr BENJAMIN CADMAN, citizens of the United States, residing at Beloit, in the county of Rock and State of /Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Machine for Working Concrete or the like, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to concrete Working machinery and more specifically to machinery for laying concrete roads or pavements.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide a machine for laying an entire pavement and simultaneously tamping and smoothing the surface of the cement by power. 7

One advantageous feature of our invention is that the device isadapted to move along continuously over the pavement while tamping and smoothing the same whereby uniformity in the pavement is readily obtainable.

Another: object of our invention is to provide means for quickly moving our entire machine along the road from place to place as it is needed.

A special object of our invention is to provide a machine adapted to finish the surface of the cement with a crown, the machine being readily adjustable to lay a pavement of any desired slope on. crown.

Further obiects and advantages of our invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a concrete pavement-working machine embodyingthe principles of our invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation and Fig. is an end elevation of the same machine. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic show- .ing of the arrangement of the teeth on the drum. Fig.-. 5 and 6 are detail views showing the attachment for the teeth of the drum. Fig. 7 is a lan view of a modified machine embodying adjustable means for producing a crowned pavement. Fig 8 is a front elevation, and Fig. 9 an end elevation of the same machine. Fig. 10 is Serial No. 318,181.

a detail view showing an end elevation of the connections for automatically raising and lowering the trailer flap. Fig. 11 is a detail showing these same parts separated from the rest of the machine.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the device shown comprises a smoothing and tamping element, which in this instance is in the form of a drum or roller A, a carriage B supporting the drum A and adapted to move along tracks C, and means carried on the carriage for rotating the drum and for moving the carriage along the track. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a rectangular frame is built up of channels 10 extending the entire length of the machine and end channels 11 underlying the side channels. Vertical channels 12 one at each end of the end channels 11 carry brackets 13 forming bearings for axles 14 and 15, carrying wheel 16 resting on the tracks G. As shown in Fig. 2, these tracks C are laid parallel with the road bed on either side thereof outside the form 17, so as not to interfere with laying the pavement which extends uninterruptedly across the entire width of the street. Stakes 17 may be used to hold the form 17 in place.

The drum A comprises a main shaft 18 extending between suit-able bearings 19 and 20 attached to the end channels 11 and a plurality of diaphragms or spiders 2 1 suitably spaced along the length of the shaft. In the device shown, these spiders are octagonal and carry eight angle bars 22 (see Fig. 3) each angle bar extending across and fastened to all of the spiders and carrying a plurality of teeth. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, each of the teeth 23 comprises a suitable holder 24 preferably of metal, having a U-shaped face in which the main tooth block, preferably of wood, fits. The holder and tooth block are both clamped against the face of the angle bar 22 by a suitable bolt and restrained from turning by lugs 25 and 26 on the holder engaging the angle bar.

In F ig. 1- we have illustrated diagramsnatically the arrangement of the teeth on the drum A. The teeth ateach angle bar 22 Lil are equidistantly spaced and on successive angle irons are arranged in overlapping relation as indicated by Fig. 4 which might be considered toshow the marks that would be made onv a flat snruace if the drum were rolled over it. It will be seen that the teeth 5, 0, cl and 6 each overlap a trifle on the immediately preceding teeth a, Z), c or cl and that the angle iron carrying the teeth has a tooth exactly alined behind the first teeth a. With the drum carried slowly as a whole in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4. and the teeth moving in the same direction at a considerably higher speed it will be seen that the entire surface covered will be thoroughly tamped and smoothed by the wiping and pushing action of the teeth.

As clearly shown in Fig. 3 the front face of each tooth is offset to lie in a plane passing on one side of the axis of the drum. As each tooth passes the vertical plane of the axle its front face extends up and slightly forward and pushes forward and slightly downward on the concrete. This action will force enough concrete under the end of the tooth to generate a considerable pressure between the surl'ace of the concrete and the end of the tooth.

Suitable means are provided for rotating the drum A. and simultaneously moving the carriage slowly along the tracks. Herein we have shown a transmission adapted to take power from a suitable ower unit mounted on the b33627 and carrying a shaft 28and fly wheels 29. The main transmission shaft 30 extending through the greater part of the length of the machine is driven fromthe engine shaft 28 bya suitable chain 81. The drum A receivespower from this transmission shaft 30 at one end through a suitable chain 32. The upper sprocket for this chain 1-32 may be disconnected from the main transmission shaft 30 by a suitable clutch fifltc-ontrolled by a lever 3sthavingthe usual locking sector and connected with the lutch by a suitable connecting rod 35. F or mow ing the carriage slowly while the roller A is working on the concrete. we have shown a worm 36 and worm wheel 37 on an inclined shaft 38 at the left end of the machine, as seen in'Figs. l and 2, driving a shortcountershaft 39 through suitable beveis 40. The countershaft 39 carries a sprocket adapted to be connected to it by a suitable clutch 41 for driving the rear axle 15 of the. carriage through a suitable chain 42.

hen it is desired to move the machine from one place to another the drum A. is disconnected and also the worm transmission just described. e have provided means for driving the carriage rapidly along the tracks C in either direction comprising a pair of bevels 4C3 driving a-short transverse shaft 4E4: from the main transmission shaft simultaneous movement.

30. The bevel 4-5 on the. end of this short shaft 4st rotates two betels 46 on the countershaft l7 in opposite directions, 11 suitable clutch 48 is adapted to lockthe conn tershaft 47 to either of these bevels thus driving the rear axle 15 through the chain 49 at a speed materially higher than that of the worm gear transmission at the other end of the machine. For the control of the low speed clutch 41 and the "high speed ciutch displaced forwardly to engage the slow speed-arm 53 and then move down the slot 55 to engage the slow speed clutch. To operate the high speed clutch in either .di-.

rection it is necessary to move the lever back out of the slot 55 thus disengaging the slow speed clutch and rock it intoengagement with the high speed fingers whereupon it can be moved in either direction in the slot 56 to operate the high speed clutch.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, a canvas flap 57 is adapted to be trailed along behind the machine to smooth the surface of the pavement behind the drmn A. iVhen the machine is moved from one place to another, it is necessary to raise this flap. We have provided automatic means for doing this to eliminate the possibility of breaking or injuring the flap by careless operation. A pluralityof bell crank levers 58 pivoted on the rear channel 10 have cords 59 at the ends of their horizontal arms ext-ending down for-suitable connection to the rocker arms 60 pivoted on the rear axle These rocker arms; at their tips early at nailing strip 61 to which the eanva; flap is seemed.

()neof the bell crank levers 58 is pivoted adjacent the slow speed arm 58 connected thereto" bysuitable bolt. 62 (see 'hig. l0) Sliding in a slot in. said arm. A drag link 63 connects all the. levers 58 together for h'lovenient of the control'lever 50'to engage the slow speed; clutch will therefore rotate the bell crank levers 58- in counter clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 11 and lower the canvas flap into operative position. Operation of the con- 7 t-rol lever to disconnect this clutch will move the levers 58 back into the position shown in Fig. 11 and raise the flap in which position it will remain while the lever 50 is operated in the other slot 56 to move the machine from place to place.

In Figs. 7, Sand 9 we have illustrated a different embodiment of our invention com prisingmeans for finishing the surface of the concrete with a crown or rise in the center of the pavement. Referring to this device, the tracks C and carriage B are substantially similar to those illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The device carries two drums 64 and 65 similar to drum A each one extending from one end of the machine slightly past the center and each one receiving power at its outer end through a chain 66 driven from the main power shaft 67; The drum control lever 69 is connected to the clutches 68 for both the drums, and? is adapted to connect or disconnect both drums simultaneously. The carriage control lever 70 and the means for controlling the motion of the carriage along'the tracks are substantially identical with those shown in Figs.

1, 2 and 3 and need not be described again in detail.

The drum (34 is rotatably supported at its outer 'end in a bearing member 71 pivotally connected to a. bracket 72 suitably mounted on the framework and at its inner end by a similar bearing 7 3 formed at the lower end of a vertically extending hanger rod 74. The hanger rod 74: extends up across the face of a short channel 75 and may be clamped thereto in vertically adjusted position by a suitable bolt '76 passing through a slot in the hanger rod. A diagonal brace 77 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the bearing 73 to take the thrust when the drum is spreading concrete.

Another diagonal brace 7 8 at the outer end takes the thrust at this end relieving the bracket 72 of excessive stresses.

The second drum is similarly mounted at the other end at the rear side of the frame being carried at its outer end by the bearing member 7 9 pivoted on the bracket 80 and braced by the brace 81 and at its inner end by the hanger rod 82 reinforced by the brace A single short channel. 84 supports the hanger rod 82 and receives the diagonal brace 77 from the other drum. It will be seen that the inner ends of the drums 6st and 65 may be adjusted vertically throughout range suliicient to provide for making pavements having all the slopes custon'iarily employed without throwing the driving sprockets at the outer ends of the drums out of alinement enough to interfere with the transmission of power to the drums.

It will be seen that we have provided a machine capable of rapidly smoothing olf, tamping and finishing a. pavement entirely by power and without. the necessity of any workman going on the pavement while it is being worked. 'While we have shown and described in detail two illustrative embodiments of our invention, it is obvious that many modifications and variations will naturally occur to persons skilled in the art. \Ve aim in the subjoined claims to cover all such legitimate variations and modifications.

e claim as our invention:

1. In a device of the class described, a spreading element having, in combination, a rotatable support and a plurality of outwardly projecting teeth carried by said support, each tooth o-fi'set axially from the pre ceding tooth by a distance less than the transverse dimension of the tooth.

2. In a device of the class described, a tooth comprising a wooden tooth block, a metal holder for said block, and a bolt extending transversely through the tooth block and holder to fasten said block and holder to each other and to a suitable support.

8. In a device of: the class described, a tooth rotatable about a horizontal axis, a front face of said tooth slanting upwardly and forwardly in the direction of motion at the instant when the tip of said tooth passes the vertical plane extending through the axis of, rotation.

4. In a device of the class described, a tooth comprising a tooth member proper and a holder therefor lying side by side. a bar adapted to support a plurality of teeth, and a single fastening means for fastening each tooth and its holder to said bar.

5. In. a device of the class described. a rotatable support, a plurality oi diaphragms carried by said support, a plurality of toothv carrying bars extending parallel to said support past said .diaphragms, and a plurality of outwardly projecting teeth carried by each bar, said teeth being arranged in a plurality of helical series of such a pitch that each tooth partially overlaps and partially projects beyond the preceding tooth of the series.

6. In a device of the class described, a rotatable axle, diaphragms carried by said axle, angle irons extending parallel to said axle and attached to the peripheries of said diaphragms, each angle iron. having one leg fastened to said diaphragms and the other leg extending outwardly, and a plmrality oi teeth mounted on the mitwardly extending leg of each angle iron.

7. In a device of the class described, an angle iron, a tooth carried by one leg of said angle iron, said tooth comprising a U-shaped member abutting said legand extending outwardly beyond the same, a filler having a tongue adapted to fit said U-shaped member, said U-shaped member and tiller being detachably clamped to said leg.

8. In a device of the class described, a tooth comprising a tooth member proper. a tongue on one face of said member, 21 LL shaped holder adapted to receive said tongue, a bolt adapted to pass through said tooth member proper, said tongue and a support and lugs on said holder adapted to engage said support and hold said tooth rigidly in position.

9'. 'In a device of the class described, a tooth comprising a tooth member proper and a' liolder-therefor, and a single means t'orft'ast-ening said tooth member proper and holder to each other and to a-snitable sup port.

10. In a device of the class described. a carriage adapted to extend from side to-s-ide of a street, tracks'lt'or said carriage a rotatable drum mounted on said carriage and adapted to smooth and tamp the road-making materiahnieans for rotating said drum, and means for moving said carriage along said tracks at a speed less than the peripheral speed of said drum.

11. The combination recited in claim 10 .i'ncombination with means for movin said carriage at a relatively high rate of speed in either direction.

12. The combination recited in claim 11 in combination with means permitting operation of said high speed means or of said low speed means; but not both.

13. In a device of the class described. in combination with a carriage. a smoothing and tamping' element carried by said carriage means or moving said carriage and means dragged over the finished Sl'llil'il-C-O of the concrete by the motion oi said jearria'ge :Eor wiping and smoothing said concrete, otother i-neans tor moving said carriage at a relatively high rate of speed 71 n either direction. and automatic meanstor moving said smootl i-i-no' and finishing means out of operative position before said high speed means can become operative.

14. In a device of the class described. a movable carriage, means for moving said carriage in one direction only at a-slow speed,- smoothing and tamping means carried by said carriage me'ans for moving said carriage inthe opposite di1.'ection.;aclelitional smoothing'meansin the nature oi? an element dragging behind said carriage and.

automatic means for raising said dragging smoothing and tamping elements overlapping at their inner ends, means for moving said smoothing and-tampmgelements over the surface of the pavement. means for supporting the-outer ends of said elements ata constant elevation, and means'for adjusting the elevation of the inner end of each element.

17. A device of the class'described havincombina-tion, a framework-adapted toextend from sideto side of a roadway, a rotatable tamping andsmoothing means ex tending from end to end of "said frame work, tracks extending along. either side of said roadway, wheels movablv supportingsaid "framework on said tracks, a power plant carried by said framework, transmission means from saidpower plant to said smoothing and tamping means and to said wheels, and control means for both said transmission means carried by said tramw work.

18. A device of the class described having, in combination, a framework adapted to extend from sideto side 01": a roadway, rotating power driven elements carried by said framework fonsmoothing and temping road making: material, said elements "extending inwardly from the outer ends of said framework into overlapping relation at thecenter, and adjustable means for raising'and lowering the inner ends of said rotatable elements.

'19. The combination recited in claim 18 in combination with bearings for the outer ends of said rotatableelement-s said bearings being pivoted on horizontal pivot-s to permit adjustment of the inner ends of said elements.

20. The combination recited in claim 19 in combination with diagonal bracesextending upwardly and rearwardly from said hearings to relieve said pivots ot' the thrust on said elements.

21. The combination recited in claim 18 in combination -with upwardly and a rearwardly extending braces at the-inner ends of said elements adapted --to receive the thrust exerted onsaid elements in operation.

22. The combination recited in claim 18 in combination-with a single manually controlled means adapted to simultaneously connect or disconnect both of said rotatable elements with a sourceo'l power.

23. In a device of the class described in combination, a framework. means for moving said framework in either directional: a relatively high speed or at a low speed in one direction only.- an element adapted to drag behind said frame, means tor raising and loweringsaid; element out of and into dragging position, aselective transmission adapted to control the movement of said frame, and means connected with an element of said selective transmission for antetra-i1 or drag behind said axles, saidge only in a given direction at a givena ini test1mony whereof We have hereun 0 19 different speeds, and means in the nature of set our hands.

' a bell crank lever and a connecting cord for lowering said trailing means when said selective means is ad nsted to move sald WILLIAM J. FITZGERALD. ADDI BENJAMIN GADMAN. 

